33. Chapter 33
Chapter thirty-three
Jonathan
T he pull of sleep was powerful. It gripped at Jonathan with desperate fingers, urging him to drift off in a tangle of arms and legs and sweat. Lucy draped across him, nuzzled between his chin and shoulder. Her soft snores and mumbles against his skin bloomed warm in his chest.
Wow .
Did he imagine their lovemaking? No. There was no way his brain could have imagined how spectacular this woman would feel. Desire had consumed them in a blaze of wild abandon, and now she rested, pressed against his side, without a single care. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, fingers lingering in the shiny, chocolate waves. Thick lashes splayed out over her freckly, flushed cheeks. Evidence of frantic nips and kisses lingered on her swollen lips. They were electric together. A force rivaling any tempest that dared sweep over their mountain.
There were perfect cotton ball clouds drifting aimlessly across the bright, blue sky. So serene. It was likely still morning, but only just so. Reason said they should get going. Any hope of reaching civilization tonight hinged on them leaving as soon as possible. They probably should have left an hour ago. Yet pulling his lover from a brief moment of peace seemed cruel, and Jonathan’s soul begged him to stay. With her, just like this. The fantasy of building a hut out of sticks and never leaving had appeal. What would be the harm, hiding from the world, spending their days exploring the area?
And the nights exploring each other.
The urge to keep Lucy close was overwhelming. Something Jonathan hadn’t experienced since before Cynthia had passed. He considered the casual, commitment-free flings he’d had in the past and realized this was undeniably different.
Jonathan wanted Lucy. More than he’d ever thought he could want someone.
Though, as much as he wanted to keep her out in the woods all to himself, Jonathan knew he needed to deliver her back to safety. A flurry of panicked family and friends surely awaited her return. His own mom and sister were likely whipped into a frenzy, leading the charge with search and rescue. Getting in the way more than being helpful.
Would Lucy’s family be there? Her friends? What about her ex? Brodan . She’d said he broke up with her, but surely hearing that she’d gone missing would spark some residual concern for a woman he’d dated for years. How would she react to seeing him? Would she run to him? Leap into his waiting arms? Kiss him?
Jealousy pinched the base of Jonathan’s throat. He worked to swallow away the sour lump while pulling her closer.
That jackass doesn’t deserve her.
“Ughh.” Lucy laid a hand on his chest and gave a breathy little grunt. “Too tight.”
“Crap, sorry,” Jonathan said, looking down at Lucy’s upturned face. Brushing a kiss on the top of her head, he asked, “Good nap?”
“Mm-hm.” Stretching overhead, she arched her lower back, pressing against his side, then idly drew circles where her hand returned to rest lazily on his chest.
Jonathan drank in her languid movements. A moment ago, he’d felt just as relaxed. But renewed desire began to creep its way through his body once more.
“Can’t we just stay here a little longer?” she implored sleepily. “One? Two weeks, tops?”
A deep rumble of laughter vibrated through Jonathan’s chest. “You know, I was fantasizing about that very thing.”
“Really?” Lucy rolled and rested her chin on his chest. She was radiant—directing that shine toward him—and he basked in her glow. Her sweet, sleepy grin and heavy-lidded gaze swept away any lingering animus he’d been feeling at the prospect of her ex showing up in Leavenworth.
“Mmm-hmm. Though in my scenario, we stayed until . . . oh, I don’t know . . . winter.” He flashed a wicked smile.
“Oh, that does sound appealing.”
“Alas . . . we should probably get a move on.”
“Killjoy,” Lucy playfully accused as she shifted away from Jonathan and propped herself up on her elbows. She took a deep breath and then sighed. “I’d forgotten how at peace I feel in nature. Landslide notwithstanding, places like this are like natural recharging stations. It’s been way, way too long.”
“I still can’t believe how many lies you fed me,” he teased, leaning in to nip her ear. “How can I ever believe a word you say?”
She reached over and playfully pinched his side. “I used to hike a ton. With my brothers, friends, even short trails solo.” A dreamy look danced across her face. “I always dreamed of hiking The Enchantments or Wonderland.” The glimmer in her eyes faded and was replaced with something else. Regret? Shame? She turned and faced the lake. “But then I met Brodan, and he was such a city guy. Different from the guys I dated in the past. He seemed so worldly, and it was enticing to dip my toe into a different lifestyle. But the trade-off was his aversion to hiking. And nature. And going outside, really.” She cringed.
Ugh. That guy again. How could Lucy have gotten so wrapped up with such a tool?
“And you gave it all up because he didn’t enjoy it?” His words sounded more accusatory than he intended.
Careful, Johnny, your jealousy is showing.
“Not at first!” she blurted defensively, tossing a scowl over her shoulder. “I still went with my friends from time to time and my brothers when they visited me in Seattle but you know how new romances are. You want to be around that person all the time. So, I let him plan what we did, and everything he planned was in the city: concerts, dinners, art shows, drinks, and dancing with his friends.”
“Oh, the horror.” Jonathan gasped.
Lucy rolled her eyes. “So sarcastic.”
“No, really, most of that sounds horrible.” He chuckled. “I am not big on crowds or anything that requires me to dress up in more than a plaid and jeans. Did you ever ask him to hike with you?”
“So many times, but I’d never been able to convince him until I planned this trip. To which he finally caved.”
“What a catch.” Jonathan shook his head in disgust. “Did I say catch ? I meant uncompromising prick.” The idea that someone could refuse such a sunny and vibrant woman something so simple was beyond him. She radiated joy. Her smile was a tractor beam that drew him in; he was powerless against the pull.
Brodan’s loss.
She shrugged. “Yes, but I didn’t realize that until recently. Every day since the breakup, every second that passes, I realize how much better off I am without him. It’s like I’m waking up from a crappy dream and returning to my own life. I’m figuring out what I want. It’s kind of intoxicating. Call it cliché but he did me a favor by ending things.”
“And I am happy to help you explore those wants in any way possible.” Jonathan gently lifted her arm. He dusted a kiss on the inside of her wrist and began to trail up her arm, pausing momentarily at the sensitive spot on her inner elbow. The taste of fresh sweat and sunshine lingered on the tip of his tongue. Blood rushed from his brain and settled into his cock, taking with it the responsible thoughts that tended to rattle around his preservation-focused mind. They should be on their way, but all he wanted to do was take refuge in this luscious woman one more time before returning to the trail. He dismissed the voice that begged him to remember their plight and uncharacteristically zeroed in on the present. “I’m a full-service guide, you see.”
Lucy sucked in a sharp breath. “Is that so? What other services have I yet to take advantage of?
“Well . . .” he started, trailing up to her shoulder, tracing his fingers along her collarbone. “I happen to be an experienced cartographer and am extraordinarily gifted at scoping out the local terrain.”
“Oh? I may be in the market for a little surveying. Tell me more.” Her husky giggle sent shivers down Jonathan’s back. He could bathe in that sound.
With a quick movement, he swept her arms out from under her and gently lowered her to lay flat. “For instance, I see two peaks to summit.” Jonathan bent his head down and slid hot kisses along her skin until he reached her breasts. Lips, tongue, and teeth trailed over her sensitive flesh, paying particular attention to each rosy nipple. They tightened under his mouth. The unconscious way she arched into him and responded to his touch was intoxicating.
“I’d better carry on; my expedition must be thorough.” Lazily, he trailed a finger down her ribs in a meandering path. “What do we have here? ”
Lucy writhed breathlessly beneath his perusal. “What did you find?”
A surprised squeak escaped her mouth as Jonathan splashed a little water from his bottle onto her stomach. A few of the icy cold drops settled in her belly button. “A little pond! Oh, thank god. I was getting so thirsty.” Leaning down and bracing a hand on each hip, he circled then dipped his tongue into her navel. Lucy squirmed and bucked slightly under his hold. “That’s riiight. You’re ticklish, aren’t you?”
“Y . . . yes,” she managed to say through giggles and groans while sliding her fingers into his ruffled hair.
Jonathan raised his head. Their eyes connected. Two blazoned emeralds bore into him. The uninhibited expression on her face would be forever singed into the back of his mind. A look he’d be able to recall in vivid detail during lonely nights if . . .
If he couldn’t convince her to stay.
He gave himself a tiny shake. He would convince her to stay. Because there was no way he could touch her, taste her, know her, and ever want anyone or anything else.
She was it for him.
“Oh, look what I found. A little valley. I’m curious to see what wonders lie right . . . down . . . here . . .”
Lucy let out an unabashed whine as Jonathan found and licked through the damp fabric of the panties she still wore. Pausing only to slide them off, he settled between her legs and returned to his mission. Alternating between broad strokes and gentle twirling circles—first one direction then the other—he slowly slid his fingers into her. So sweet. He could never imagine a world where he tired of lavishing attention on any part of her body. Jonathan glanced up again. Her greedy whispers and pants filled his ears, seducing him into witnessing her as she watched his hungry ministrations. Knowing she watched him do what he pleased ratcheted up his arousal. She was nearing the brink; in turn, he increased his speed and pressure. Throbbing, he ached to be inside of her.
Lifting his head briefly, he said, “Tell me just before so I can join you.”
She spoke through erratic gasps. “So close. Please.”
With lightning speed, Jonathan snatched one of the little foil packets, ripped it open and rolled the condom into place.
Lifting one of her legs to rest on his shoulder, he steadied himself over her and took in the beauty beneath him. He pressed his head against her heat, sliding along her slit until he began to settle in. Despite being primed for him—dripping from his earlier touches—the fit was tight around his cock. With an agonizingly slow shift, he eased into her until he bottomed out.
Fuck .
He could’ve died right then. Happily walked through the pearly gates or flames of hell, because for the first time in his life, he’d found religion. It wasn’t just the sex, rather the bliss he felt simultaneously finding and losing himself in her. He’d confided that he only ever felt complete while he was out in nature. But this was different. More profound.
Lucy was home.
She reached up and gripped the back of Jonathan’s head and neck, pulling him down to her lips. He obeyed and kissed her deeply while gliding back and forth. Faster, harder. Jonathan followed Lucy up the pinnacle, reluctant to loosen his hold on her, and dove off the edge into blinding rapture.
Ripples of pleasure reverberated throughout his body as she pulsed tightly around him. His breath came in short bursts, and he struggled to keep from collapsing against her. Unparallelled euphoria engulfed him, ebbing and flowing with each throb inside of her, each palpitation of his heart .
As his feet returned to earth and his heartbeat steadied, there was no plague of worry. He and Lucy would get back to town that night even if he had to plow straight through a mountain to make it happen. Then, he would do everything in his power to ensure Lucy had a wonderfully happy life . . . with him.